Percentage of US Cars with Manual Transmission

In the United States, manual transmissions have been steadily declining in popularity for decades. In the 1950s, over 90% of cars sold in the US had manual transmissions. By the 1980s, that number had dropped to around 50%. Today, less than 5% of new cars sold in the US have manual transmissions.

Reasons for the Decline

There are a number of reasons for the decline of manual transmissions in the US:

• Automatic transmissions are more convenient. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive, especially in stop-and-go traffic. They also allow drivers to focus more on the road and less on shifting gears.
• Automatic transmissions are more fuel-efficient. In the past, manual transmissions were more fuel-efficient than automatic transmissions. However, modern automatic transmissions have become much more fuel-efficient, and they now offer comparable fuel economy to manual transmissions.
• Automatic transmissions are more affordable. In the past, manual transmissions were less expensive than automatic transmissions. However, the cost of manual transmissions has increased in recent years, while the cost of automatic transmissions has decreased. As a result, automatic transmissions are now more affordable than manual transmissions.

Benefits of Manual Transmissions

Despite their declining popularity, manual transmissions still offer a number of benefits over automatic transmissions:

• More control. Manual transmissions give drivers more control over their vehicles. Drivers can choose the gear that they want to be in, and they can downshift to engine brake when necessary.
• More engaging. Manual transmissions are more engaging to drive than automatic transmissions. Drivers have to be more involved in the driving process, and they can feel more connected to their vehicles.
• Can be more fuel-efficient. In some cases, manual transmissions can be more fuel-efficient than automatic transmissions. This is especially true in city driving, where drivers can downshift to engine brake instead of using the brakes.

The Future of Manual Transmissions

It is difficult to say what the future holds for manual transmissions in the US. It is possible that they will continue to decline in popularity, or they may even disappear altogether. However, there is also a passionate group of enthusiasts who love manual transmissions and who will continue to drive them for as long as possible.

Only time will tell what the future holds for manual transmissions in the US. However, one thing is for sure: they are a unique and enjoyable driving experience that is worth preserving.